SAVING THE GOOD STUFF

Fall 2016 H Volume 20 No. 4

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J oin Preservation Austin for our 56th Annual Preservation Merit Awards Celebration at the Driskill Hotel! Featured speaker Paul Gunther, Executive Director of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy and veteran of the New York arts and design world, will be followed by the presentation of awards to this year’s outstanding Preservation Merit Awards recipients.

This juried program celebrates the hard work and visionary approaches of those preserving Austin’s unique architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage. This year’s nine recipients are among the best preservation projects from the past two years; it is an eclectic group, representing the many ways that Austinites have come together to breathe life into the places that we love. Congratulations to all those who made these incredible projects possible! Paul Gunther, Executive Director of New York City’s Gracie Mansiond Conservancy We are delighted to welcome Mr. Gunther, who joined the Gracie Mansion Conservancy in 2015 after 35 years in the public and private sectors. He has written for professional publications on topics including preservation, architecture, landscape design, land use, and art history, often through a sociopolitical lens. He 56th Annual Preservation served as president of the Institute of Classical Architecture & H Merit Awards Celebration Art for ten years, and is the former Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Director of Development at the New York Friday, October 28, 2016 Historical Society; Director of Development and American Liaison Check-In Begins at 11am at the American Center in Paris; and the Director of Development Program Runs from 11:30 to 1:30pm and Public Affairs at the Municipal Art Society of New York. Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street

Mr. Gunther will bring his incisive perspective to the intersection $100 per guest; Ticket Sales End October 21 at Noon of, and conflicts between, economic development and historic preservation as American cities plunge into the 21st century.

Tickets are available at preservationaustin.org/events. Space is limited so please purchase by Friday, October 21.

dContinued on page 3 Austin Foundation for Architecture Supports New Historic Austin Tours

The Austin Foundation for Architecture (AFA) has awarded 2016-2017 Board of Directors Preservation Austin a $2,400 grant to expand our Historic H EXECUTIVE COMMITEE H Austin Tours series! This funding John Donisi, President Vanessa McElwrath, 1st VP will support the development Ken Johnson, President-Elect Richard Kooris, 2nd VP of three new self-guided tours Clay Cary, Treasurer through the Otocast app, Samantha Davidson, Secretary featuring the Red River Cultural Alyson McGee, Immediate Past President District, the heart of Austin’s live music scene; the postwar history of the Allandale, Brentwood, H BOARD MEMBERS H and Crestview neighborhoods, featured in this year’s Homes Clayton Bullock Ann Graham Michael Strutt Tour; and MCM Austin, in partnership with Mid Tex Mod. Richard Craig Chris Hendel Lance Stumpf Tara Dudley Lori Martin Matt Swinney The AFA “promotes awareness of the built environment Lauren Smith Ford Dennis McDaniel Caroline Wright through its advocacy of the people and programs that Eileen Gill Dewitt Peart contribute to a high standard of living in Central Texas.” This is the third, and largest, grant its Board of Directors has awarded H REPRESENTATIVES H Preservation Austin in support of our Historic Austin Tours. This Michael Holleran, UT School of Architecture unique series educates our community about Austin’s diverse Charles Peveto, Austin History Center Michelle Slattery, Inherit Austin culture and past by providing free, engaging, easy-to-use Bob Ward, Travis County Historical Commission content not available anywhere else. We’re so grateful to the AFA for making this possible yet again. H H BENEFACTOR H Tim Cuppett & Marco Rini

H WATERLOO CIRCLE H Paula & Lee Aaronson Jill & Dennis McDaniel Suzanne Deal Booth Vanessa & Mac McElwrath Ann Butler Alyson McGee & Mark Wolfe Karen & Clay Cary Emily Moreland Reenie & Kent Collins Carole & George Nalle, III Richard Craig Carol Nelson Sam & Ty Davidson Julie & Patrick Oles, Jr. John Donisi & Gina Hinojosa Mary Paver Regan & William Gammon Charles Aubrey Smith, Jr. Ann S. Graham & Arlen Johnson Charles Stuart H STAFF Elizabeth & Tom Granger Lin Team & Lewis Donelson Catherine & Clarke Heidrick Bratten Thomason & Randy Dalton Kate Singleton, Executive Director Shelly & Todd Hemingson David Wilson Lindsey Derrington, Programs Coordintor Dealey & David Herndon Patricia Winston & Bill Head Mailing Address - P.O. Box 2113, Austin, TX 78768 Meta Butler Hunt Eva & Marvin Womack Physical Address - 500 Chicon, Austin, 78702 Peter Flagg Maxson & Ph. (512) 474-5198 Fax (512) 476-8687 John C. R. Taylor, III [email protected] www.preservationaustin.org

2 Fall 2016 H AWARDSd RECIPIENTS 500 CHICON H leaky windows. The open interior’s double- HIGHLAND AVENUE H 500 Chicon Street, height atrium and exposed brick walls BUNGALOW East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood made the space difficult to heat and cool 606 Highland Avenue, Old West Austin H Texas Society of Architects, either consistently or efficiently. Neighborhood Preservation Award for Sustainability H Nick and Kathleen Deaver, TSA enlisted Earl Swisher, AIA of the Preservation Award for Contemporary When the Gulf Refining Company completed Lawrence Group and Flynn Construction Addition to an Historic Building its new distributing station at Chicon and for a second renovation to enhance 5th Streets in 1923, this bustling intersection thermal performance while preserving the Architect Nick Deaver and wife Kathleen along the Houston and Texas Central rail building’s historic character. Construction purchased this classic Austin bungalow in lines was home to an oil mill, two cotton commenced in December 2015 and was the West Line National Historic District in gins, and an H&TC round house. Today only completed in May 2016. A new metal roof 1999. The home, built in 1918, had fallen the Gulf building at 500 Chicon remains, a with improved insulation reflects sunlight on hard times: asbestos shingles covered reminder of East Austin’s industrial past at a and heat. Steel-framed windows have been its clapboard siding; thin, inappropriate time when development is rapidly reshaping preserved and repaired as necessary, and replacement columns struggled to support this part of the city. custom-designed interior storm windows its sagging gabled porch; the foundation insulate each window opening, none of was in need of replacement. Graphic design firm FD2S purchased the brick which was identical to the next. A new and reinforced concrete warehouse in 1999 Nick designed, and together they air-conditioning system balances climate and oversaw the building’s transformation embarked, on a 15-year rehabilitation control in multiple zones throughout into modern office space, which Preservation and addition project which nearly tripled the building for efficiency and comfort. Austin (then the Heritage Society of Austin) the home’s square footage to strike A new metal canopy shades expansive honored with 2002 Preservation Merit a stunning balance between old and windows along the building’s south Award. Texas Society of Architects (TSA), new. The project uncovered the original façade, providing a traditional solution to the statewide component of the American siding and removed layers of carpet and protecting the building from the glaring Institute of Architects, acquired the vinyl from original longleaf pine floors. Texas sun. building for its headquarters nine years Extensive research and analysis facilitated later. Despite the earlier renovation, 500 The project demonstrates TSA’s the restoration of Craftsman style porch Chicon still suffered from a leaky roof and commitment to stewarding 500 Chicon Continued on page 4 well into the 21st century through sustainable upgrades. It is excellent example of how minimal, but impactful, interventions can dramatically tighten the building envelop without destroying historic character.

500 Chicon, Photo by Kevin Halliburton, AIA Highland Avenue Bungalow, Photo by Whit Preston, www.whitpreston.com

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 3 H

Merit Awards, continued from page 3 NEILL-COCHRAN H major wood features, including its 26-foor- tall Doric portico, suffering from wood rot; supports and interior woodwork. A HOUSE MUSEUM damaged windows in need of glazing and “modern plinth” of steel and concrete 2310 San Gabriel Street, West Campus Neighborhood new mullions; and historic blinds which were punctuated by expanses of full-height H National Society of the Colonial deteriorating in storage. glass replaced the failing foundation and Dames of America in Texas, partial basement. This addition emerges Preservation Award for Restoration Contractor Joe Pinnelli, along with project from the sloping site to house Nick’s manager Mike Austin and NCHM Executive design studio and a new rental unit, and Master builder Abner Cook completed Director Rowena Dasch, oversaw the work. supports an elegant louvered porch off the the house that would later become the Careful management brought the project main floor’s kitchen. These contemporary Neill-Cochran House Museum (NCHM) in in under-budget, allowing the team to elements are virtually hidden from the 1856. Originally set in a pastoral, 18 acre- tackle additional repairs including restoring street, respecting the home’s original setting outside the fledgling state capitol, walkways and entrance steps; water scale as well as the historic streetscape it now stands in the booming West remediation and foundation issues around along Highland Avenue. Campus neighborhood just blocks from the the 1856 dependency building; and new University of Texas. It is a City of Austin exterior lighting, particularly on the main Completed in 2014, the Highland Avenue Landmark, a Recorded Texas Historic façade. Bungalow fully embraces both the Landmark, and is listed in the National historic and the contemporary and is an Completed in December 2015, the restoration Register of Historic Places. Along with the outstanding example of how the two has returned the NCHM to its c. 1900 Governor’s Mansion (1856) and Woodlawn can stand in harmony. It is neither a city appearance. It is a testament to what (1853), it forms the core of Cook’s Greek landmark nor a contributing building to dedication and collaboration can accomplish Revival style legacy. a local historic district, yet the Deavers despite small budgets and the overwhelming pursued a design strategy that would The National Society of the Colonial challenge of maintaining buildings of this easily comply with design standards Dames of America in Texas (NSCDA-TX) era. Preservation Austin honored the NSCDA- for both. The project demonstrates purchased the property in 1958 and TX with one of our inaugural Preservation how, instead of stifling creativity, good opened it to the public in 1962. By the turn Merit Awards in 1960; we are excited to do so preservation practices often lead to more of the 21st century the neighborhood’s once again for their ongoing commitment to interesting and complex design solutions. increasing density, along with this, one of Austin’s architectural treasures. The home was featured on AIA Austin’s stress caused by both drought 2013 Homes Tour as well as Preservation and heavy rains, had taken its Austin’s 2015 Historic Homes Tour. We toll on the antebellum building. are thrilled to heap on this additional This prompted the first phase honor and to hold up the Highland Avenue its restoration in 2008, which Bungalow as a standard for such projects included substantial foundation citywide. reinforcement.

The NSCDA-TX Board raised an additional $380,000 to begin phase two in 2014. Given their limited funds, John Volz of VOH Architects narrowed the project’s Neill-Cochran House Museum, photo by Bill McCullough d scope to focus on restoring the house’s Continued on page 5

4 Fall 2016 Merit Awards, continued from page 4 In 2013 the City of Austin Parks and years of collaborative efforts which brought Recreation Department (PARD) initiated this new urban park to fruition. As stated in a public engagement process to explore the award nomination, “This project serves rehabilitation options, and brought on as a strong testament to the role that Hatch, Ulland + Owen Architects to develop planning, preservation advocacy, persistence a feasibility study and design for the and innovation play in creating excellent same. Completed in 2016, their efforts civic spaces through the adaptive use of transformed the 850-square-foot substation historic buildings.” We couldn’t put it better into 21st-century community space for ourselves. the neighborhood. The project restored Substation at Sparky Park, photo courtesy of Austin Parks & Recreation Department the building’s historic features, including ARNO NOWOTNY BUILDING H inframed steel windows, and new design 709 E. Martin Luther King, Jr., University NORTH AUSTIN ELECTRIC H elements which better connect the space of Texas “Little Campus” SUBSTATION AT SPARKY to the surrounding park and enhance its H University of Texas at Austin, POCKET PARK flexibility. A large accordion door system Preservation Award for Restoration 3701 Grooms Street, North University inserted into the building’s east wall, Neighborhood The state legislature established the and shaded by a steel and wood canopy, H City of Austin Parks & Recreation Texas Asylum for the Blind in 1856 at provides natural light and indoor-outdoor Department, Preservation Award for the present-day intersection of E. Martin Rehabilitation functionality. The space boasts a new Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and I-35. bathroom and kitchenette. Abner Cook designed its first building, a The City of Austin launched a series of major The April ribbon cutting brought together two-story Italianate limestone and brick infrastructural improvements between 1929 PARD, the North University Neighborhood structure, completed the following year. and 1931, including paving roads, building Association, and Hatch, Ulland + Owen, along sewers and bridges, and constructing Additional classrooms and dormitories with Major Steve Adler and Mayor Pro Tem present-day landmarks such as Buford Tower had filled in the campus by 1917 when the Kathie Tovo, to celebrate the more than ten downtown and Barton Springs Pool as we Continued on page 6 now know it. Contractor J. R. Blackmore was hired to build two new electric substations, one at 7th Street and Chicon in East Austin (now home to Planned Parenthood) and one on Grooms Street in the North University Neighborhood.

Completed in 1930, the North Austin Electric Substation remained in operation until 2005. The community successfully sought its rededication as Sparky Pocket Park, featuring an award-winning Grotto Wall by artist Berthold Haas four years later. The site’s tiny brick, Art Deco machinery building, however, remained vacant despite its landmark status.

Arno Nowotny Building, photo Courtesy of ARCHITEXAS

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 5 H

Merit Awards, continued from page 5 molded paneling grace the building school moved to its current location at once more. Low- 45th Street and Lamar. The University of maintenance Texas purchased the property in the 1920s terne-coated but planned to raze the “Little Campus” for copper matches the Frank Erwin Center parking in the 1970s. original. This stirred outcry among the university

community and prompted preservation of These subtle but the 1857 building along with Hargis Hall, crucial changes though the rest was demolished. demonstrate the impact historic The 1857 building underwent a substantial detailing has on restoration in 1984 and was rededicated the composition in honor of longtime dean Arno Nowotny. Pohl House, photo by Lindsey Derrington, courtesy of Mid Tex Mod of the whole. The The project reconstructed its south-facing jury commends the Dr. Donald and Marjorie Pohl entrance porch, east and west wings, and University of Texas for reinvesting in Arno commissioned Roessner to design their primary roof structure with distinctive Nowotny Building, for correcting past family home in 1955. Perched on a rocky cupola in an attempt to return the building mistakes and ensuring that this National hill high above Balcones Drive and to its original state. Register-listed treasure has the durable surrounded by old-growth live oaks, the

Thirty years later, however, an exterior materials it needs to last another 150 flat-roofed house featured extensive conditions assessment by ARCHITEXAS years. woodwork, stone feature walls, and full- principal Susan Frocheur found the height windows. The Argentinian magazine restoration had utilized low-quality DR. DONALD AND H Nuestra Arquitectura published the project materials and inappropriate detailing, MARJORIE POHL HOUSE in 1957. problems compounded by deferred 3902 Balcones Drive, Highland Park Trisha and Douglas Shepard purchased maintenance. Comparisons with West/Balcones Neighborhood the home from the Pohls’ children in 2013 historic photographs showed that wood H Trisha and Douglas Shepard, after a long search. Trisha, an interior replacement elements, many executed in Preservation Award for Rehabilitation designer, spent the next three years on its plywood, had been dimensioned poorly Architect Roland Gommel Roessner, FAIA painstaking rehab. A structural engineer and were incongruous with the Italianate was a towering figure of the local mid- tackled foundation issues by lifting and style, including balustrades, porch century design world. His award-winning leveling the slab. Contractors removed supports, and window sashes. regionalist approach adapted modernist asbestos flooring, installed all-new ARCHITEXAS’ restoration, completed in principles to Central Texas, emphasizing electrical wiring, and tucked a new HVAC March 2016, righted these earlier errors. native materials, open spaces, and site- system into shallow attic space. Wooden The project replaced all previously- specific designs. Roessner’s residential siding was painted and replaced where reconstructed architectural elements with works are among Austin’s finest and necessary and the east-facing balcony properly-dimensioned, period-appropriate his decades-long teaching career at the reconstructed. Heavy paint was stripped ones in Douglas Fir, and replaced porch University of Texas School of Architecture from the eaves and stained to match decking with long-lasting Accoya. Turned influenced generations of designers. newly re-conditioned fir ceilings and balusters, delicate window sashes, and exposed beams inside. Continued on page 7

6 Fall 2016 Merit Awards, continued from page 6 CEMETERY MASTER PLAN H natural and built resources, prioritizes The kitchen’s St. Charles metal cabinets + OAKWOOD ANNEX LADIES needs, and recommends treatment plans. were refinished by an auto body shop and RESTROOM PARD’s exhaustive public engagement reinstalled to accommodate a dishwasher Recipient: City of Austin Parks & process used traditional and digital and new sink. Stone walls were cleaned Recreation Department strategies to seek input from diverse and the original fireplace hood restored. H Special Recognition for Outstanding constituencies. This included five public Planning + Preservation of Cultural Fir woodwork, including door and window meetings, stakeholder interviews, signage, Landscape frames and oversized closets, was restored monthly print newsletters, a dedicated website with weekly updates, media or rebuilt throughout. Contemporary The Cemetery Master Plan, a gargantuan outreach, and regular e-blasts. The two- features such as remodeled bathrooms, 542-page document completed with year effort was completed in September custom built-ins, and lava stone floors consultants AmaTerra Environmental, 2015. emphasize natural materials and simple McDoux Preservation, and John Milner lines compatible with the midcentury Associates, is the culmination of The 2014 restoration of the Ladies aesthetic. Domed, opaque skylights were an outstanding planning and public Restroom in Oakwood Annex demonstrates replaced to enhance natural light and engagement effort by PARD. After years how, with long-term vision in focus, PARD a new entrance opens the house to the of deferred maintenance and dwindling is committed to making the plan’s goals neighborhood. community investment – issues faced by a reality. Designed by Hugo Kuehne circa urban cemeteries nationwide – the plan This stunning project led modernism- 1920, this tiny Craftsman style building seeks to reactivate and reconnect these focused preservation nonprofit Mid had been stripped of key features and important cultural green spaces to the Tex Mod to sponsor the Pohl House’s suffered from gaping holes in its roof. A city. It is only the third such master plan submission for this year’s awards. vulture nest constituted the most action it of its kind, yet surpasses its predecessors Preservation Austin is proud to honor the had seen in years. Armed with an $11,044 in scope to put Austin at the forefront Shepards’ incredible efforts preserving this Certified Local Government grant from of cemetery preservation planning mid-century modern masterpiece. the Texas Historical Commission, a $4,412 nationwide. grant from the nonprofit Save Austin’s Cemeteries, and more than $50,000 in city Managed by PARD Preservation Planner funding, PARD worked with the Lawrence Kim McKnight, the document outlines Group to bring the building back to life. strategies for the rehabilitation, The roof was deconstructed and rebuilt. maintenance, and Historically-appropriate wood shingles interpretation of replaced asphalt ones. The project utilized Oakwood (est. 1839), period photographs to carefully replicate Plummers (est. circa wooden brackets, rafters, windows, and 1898), Oakwood doors. Annex (est. 1914), Austin Memorial PARD continues to be a leading steward Park (est. 1927) and of Austin’s cultural and environmental Evergreen (est. heritage. We look forward to further 1928) cemeteries. It implementation of the plan, and to includes cemetery celebrating the revitalization of our city’s histories, assesses cemeteries, in the years to come. Oakwood Annex, photo courtesy of Austin Parks & Recreation Department the condition of Continued on page 8

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 7 H

Merit Awards, continued from page 7 boys which led to the desegregation of date is notable and recognition by the Muny’s course, if not its facilities, in the National Register should mark a teachable Jim Crow era. experience for the nation in our country’s civil rights history.” Save Muny has overcome significant challenges to bring this landmark moment Preservation Austin commends Save to light, first with a historical marker in Muny’s passion and dedication for placing 2009 and later by performing exhaustive Lions Municipal Golf Course in its proper research to nominate the course to national context. Listing in the National the National Register. The nomination, Register does not protect Muny against written by Ken Tiemann and Charles redevelopment but is a major feat, Page with support by historian Bob Ozer and a major step forward for the site’s

Lions Municipal Golf Course — thegolfnewsnet.com and neighborhood activist Mary Arnnold, preservation. among others, required hundreds of hours SAVE MUNY H of preparation. It garnered unanimous JILL & STEPHEN WILKINSON H H Special Recognition for Outstanding support from Austin’s City Council, along H Special Recognition for Outstanding Public Service: Lions Municipal Golf with numerous scholars, Congressman Public Service: Neighborhood Course National Register Listing Lloyd Doggett, Congressional Black Caucus Preservation in Aldridge Place and Chairman G. K. Butterfield, and the United Heritage Neighborhoods On July 7, 2016 Lions Municipal Golf Course States Golf Association. Congressman was listed in the National Register of Jill and Stephen Wilkinson’s ongoing James E. Clyburn, former Congressional Historic Places for national significance preservation efforts in Aldridge Place and Black Caucus Chair, stated that “The as the South’s first public golf course to Heritage demonstrate the power that action of African American citizens in desegregate. This achievement represents vision and investment have to stabilize Austin, Texas and the City Council in years of grassroots efforts by Save Muny, historic neighborhoods. desegregating the course at such an early the leading advocate for preserving this important urban green space.

Established in 1924, Muny’s 141 acres in West Austin are lush with heritage oaks and historic resources including a 1930 Colonial Revival style clubhouse. While African Americans had labored to build the eighteen-hole course, and later caddied there, they were barred from golfing themselves. This changed in 1950 when, just months after the Supreme Court’s Sweatt v. Painter decision chipped away at the “separate but equal” doctrine, two young African Americans (one just nine- years-old) walked onto Muny and began playing. After an initial flurry at City Hall, Major Taylor Glass declined to arrest the 408 W. 32nd Street in Aldridge Place, rehabbed by Jill and Stephen Wilkinson; photo by Jay Farrell, AIA

8 Fall 2016 Merit Awards, continued from page 8 They then set their sights on the adjacent to make a profit. By stepping in to rehab Heritage Neighborhood, made even problem properties, they’re preventing Stealth dorms, built to squeeze multiple more susceptible to redevelopment by teardowns and stealth dorms while students into new or repurposed the less-cohesive nature of its historic also making a statement about the buildings in spite of single-family zoning streetscapes. In 2014 they purchased and value and potential of Austin’s historic requirements, pose an increasing threat rehabbed a large Colonial Revival built neighborhoods. We are fortunate to have to these communities because of their in 1907, giving it a new foundation, HVAC preservationists with their leadership and proximity to the University of Texas. The and electrical systems, new finishes, and passion in our midst. Wilkinsons have systematically purchased new insulation. Next came rehabs of two and transformed threatened homes to H smaller cottages at the corner of Rio combat this trend, to prevent stealth Preservation Austin extends our deepest Grande and West 30th Street, one a 1903 dorms from taking hold and turn the tide thanks to this year’s Preservation Cumberland style “workers house” and the of development toward preservation. Merit Awards Jurors Melissa Barry, Vice other a Craftsman style bungalow. Farrell President of Planning for the Downtown once again oversaw the project, ranging The couple’s first project stands across Austin Alliance; Rebecca Borchers, from a total renovation of the former from their own Aldridge Place home. The former Executive Director of the Friends stately two-story house, built in 1923, to the replacement of the foundation, of the Texas Historical Commission; had fallen on hard times and was in the roof and finishes for the latter. Three Rebekah Dobrasko, Historic Preservation process of being converted into a stealth more projects in Heritage are currently Specialist for the Texas Department of dorm. Alarmed, the Wilkinsons did what underway. Transportation; Richard Ryan, Architect they could and stepped in, purchasing the Emeritus; and Lauren Vienne, Operations The Wilkinsons aren’t your typical house and hiring architect Jay Farrell, AIA & Grants Manager for the Texas Historical “developers.” They invest in these to design its rehabilitation back into a Foundation. Their time, talents, and houses because they care about these H single family home in 2010. judgment were essential to this process. neighborhoods, not because they’re out

Dog Days of Summer: Preservationists joined forces at our Annual Meeting at the North Door and first-ever Jugging and Jawing: Historic Happy Hour at Deep Eddy Cabaret

2016 Annual Meeting at East Austin’s North Door on August 23 Inaugural Historic Happy Hour at Deep Eddy Cabaret, presented with the UT Student Historic Preservation Association on September 13

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 9 Meet & Greet

City Council Candidates’ Forum Tuesday, October 11 6pm to 8pm Preservation Austin (500 Chicon, 78702 - Texas Society of Architects Building)

s the 2016 City Council campaigns move A toward Election Day on November 8, our Preservation Committee is hosting a meet and greet forum for our membership and supporters to better understand candidates’ positions on issues that affect our historic built environment. Each candidate will offer their brief position statement, after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and delve further into the issues.

Preservation Austin has also distributed a questionnaire to all City Council candidates pertaining to their views on historic preservation and the role preservation plays in Austin’s future. We will be posting these to our blog for the community’s review prior to the forum, so stay tuned! H

THANK YOU Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Norwood Tower, LP TO OUR PRESERVATION AUSTIN Clayton Bullock, Moreland Properties O’Connell Architecture BUSINESS AMBASSADORS! MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC Tiffany Peters, Moreland Properties

Preservation Austin thanks the Heritage Title Company and Driskill Hotel for their dedicated support of our Preservation Merit Awards Program and for underwriting our 2015 awards luncheon. H

10 Fall 2016 H President’s Message H John Donisi

I t is a great honor to serve as I must thank Alyson McGee, our Immediate President of the Board of Directors Past President, for her strong leadership. Many for Preservation Austin – a second time. I of the projects and programs that she helped first joined the board in 2005 and became to advocate for have come to fruition including President two years later. Although the the much-anticipated East Side Historic name of the organization has changed Resource Survey. Alyson also spent countless since then, the mission and vision have not. hours meeting with newly-elected City Council The challenges facing our community are members on the importance and impact of Austin Alliance; Michael Strutt, PhD., Texas even more pressing today because of the preservation, vitally important work as Austin Parks and Wildlife; and Matt Swinney, owner city’s phenomenal growth. However, here at transitioned from an at-large Council. of Fashion Austin. We are fortunate to have Preservation Austin, we firmly believe that them on our side. historic preservation and appropriate new I would like to personally thank our Preservation Austin is dedicated to promoting development can coexist. outgoing Board members, including Paula Austin’s diverse cultural heritage through the Aaronson, Shelly Hemingson, Tim League, preservation of historic places and the Board Over the next year we will continue to Andrea McWilliams, Tom Stacy, and Bratten is already working to assure a productive broaden and build our constituency base, and Thomason. All dedicated years of service to upcoming year. With their dedication and our to promote the merits of preservation and its this organization, serving on our committees members’ support, I look forward to this term essential role in the special and unique story and fundraising to support our mission. We with great confidence in our future successes of Austin. We will work hard on the issues appreciate the time and energy that they of “Saving the Good Stuff.” that impact preservation: neighborhood have given to Preservation Austin. stabilization through local historic district Sincerely, designation, additional funding for the city’s I’m looking forward to working with new historic preservation program, continuation board members Tara Dudley, PhD., Hardy Heck of the citywide historic resource survey, Moore; Eileen Gill of the Gill Agency; Lori and continuation of programs to encourage Martin, formerly of the Paramount Theatre; John Donisi, investment in historic properties. Dewitt Peart, President & CEO of Downtown President H

H Legacy Preservation Partner Follow Us on

Preservation Austin’s Planned Giving program helps to create a secure financial future which allows us to to stay up to date on focus more time and attention on the latest preservation preserving our shared heritage and less issues and events in our on fundraising obligations. community! Visit www.preservationaustin.org/get- involved/planned-giving/

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 11 Inherit Austin

Thanks to our 2016 “Somewhere In Time” Sponsors t Ph.D PRESENTING SPONSOR t t MASTER’S DEGREE SPONSORS t The Gill Agency Residential Black Sheep Unique Real Estate BACHELOR’S DEGREE SPONSORS Crowell Builders Limbacher & Godfrey Architects McCann Adams Studio SEED Property Group Stellar Fitness LLC

IN-KIND SPONSORS Atelier Wong Photography • Dynamic Reprographics • Hops & Grain Craft Brewery

Preservation Grants Offered by PA Photo credit: austinhydepark.org

reservation Austin is excited to helping fellow preservationists make their Pannounce the launch of our new plans and dreams a reality! grants program. Small matching grants of Preservation Austin has funded two up to $5,000 are now available in three projects during our inaugural grant cycle categories: Education, Bricks and Mortar, this summer. The Hyde Park Neighborhood and Planning/Historic Resource Survey/ Association received matching funds for Local Historic Designation. Nonprofit the installation of twenty-five street-sign organizations, neighborhood organizations, symposium on African American Cemeteries toppers to demarcate the Hyde Park Local public entities, and owners of individual or to be held at Huston-Tillotson University. Historic District between 38th, 45th, Duval, proposed landmarks may apply. Grants will and Guadalupe Streets. Six Square: Austin’s Details, along with the grant application, be offered once a quarter. This new program Black Cultural District received a matching can be found at our website at gets to the heart of our mission to promote grant for The Homecoming, an upcoming preservationaustin.org/programs. H Austin’s diverse cultural heritage through the preservation of historic places. By providing small but impactful funding to important projects citywide, Preservation Austin can affect real change in the preservation and interpretation of the historic places that mean the most to our community. We look forward to building new partnerships and to

12 Fall 2016 H Education Committee Ann S. Graham, Chair

he Education Committee continues to grow and be very T productive! We welcome new participation and new ideas anytime, so let us know if you’d like to join us!

First, a shout-out to everyone who helped make our “Greening Your Vintage Home” event on July 12th such a great success. We celebrated the Calcasieu Cottages, a tiny-house-movement ahead of its time for the middle class of the early 20th century. Nearly thirty of these cottages still stand in Austin and we showcased a quartet under restoration that will provide multi-generational live-work space for an extended family. Special thanks to the following for making the event a “Greening Your Vintage Home” group tours in-progress and recently- sell-out success: sponsors CleanTag, Murray Legge Architecture, rehabbed Calcasieu cottages with Branson Fustes of Pilgrim Building Pilgrim Building Company, and Amity Worrel & Co.; homeowner Company and architect Murray Legge. Kyle Hawley and family; Stephanie Phillips of the Texas State Preservation Board; event hosts Angela Reed and Ian Reddy; and meetings to ensure citizens have the opportunity to weigh in Preservation Austin Programs Coordinator Lindsey Derrington. on cases of concern.

Check out these new small-group works in progress. If you n Ambassador Program: Developing outreach program and want to roll up your sleeves and help, please let us know! messaging for PA volunteers to represent the organization at community events, realtor meetings, neighborhood or n Three new “Historic Austin Tours:” Researching and business meetings, etc., to share more about Preservation developing content for three new tours through the Otocast Austin and its work. app, including those for Allandale/Brentwood/Crestwood

building on research conducted for PA’s successful 2016 n Homeowner’s Guides and Best Practices Tool Kits: Homes Tour; Mid-Century Modern Austin in partnership with Developing online guides on how to research your historic Mid Tex Mod; and Red River Cultural District building on an home, how to landmark your home, etc. oral history project conducted with high school students from the Vandegrift High School FFA. And we’re already thinking ahead to ideas for our next summer’s History Hunt (for budding young preservationists) and Greening n Online Advocacy Tools: Growing our capacity to engage Your Vintage Home – hard to top this year’s successes! and mobilize citizens to speak up in support of preservation issues in Austin, including how to navigate the City of Austin’s Join us the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the preservation process for historic designation of individual Preservation Austin office and get involved! If you are inspired landmarks and/or neighborhoods, how to speak up at public to work with an enthusiastic team of volunteers, help out at meetings, general protocols for communicating with decision special events, and grow the resources we have to share our makers, and more. passion for “Saving the Good Stuff,” the Education Committee is

for you. n “Tourist in your own City:” Developing online and/or print walking guides for Austin neighborhoods, starting with South Respectfully submitted, Congress, Hyde Park, and Cherrywood. These will feature the Ann S. Graham, history of prominent landmarks as well as local businesses Chair, Education Committee that occupy historic buildings. Preservation Austin, Board of Directors H n Demolition Blog: Monitoring monthly demolition permit applications for historic buildings and posting to PA’s blog and Facebook page in advance of Historic Landmark Commission

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 13 H HERITAGE QUIZ Rebekah Dobrasko

P reservation Austin presents our Facebook Heritage Quiz the first Friday of every month. The first respondent to correctly identify a local landmark receives a $5 gift card to Cenote, housed in the historic McDonald-Cain House, courtesy of your favorite preservation organization so keep a lookout for upcoming quizzes this fall! J Congratulations to our summer winners for correctly spotting the following properties:

July 2016 – Onion Creek Lodge, 706 North Bluff Drive The Onion Creek Lodge began in the 1850s, when Masonic Brothers south of Austin got together to replace a community school. The Masons discussed the issue of attending meetings in Austin six miles to the north, and petitioned for their own lodge in 1858. The current Onion Creek Lodge building opened for meetings in 1861. Stone was quarried in Oak Hill, and the Lodge shared their new building with the Pleasant Hill School. Onion Creek Lodge built additions in 1908, 1954, and 1961 around the historic 1860s building. The Onion Creek Masonic Lodge #220 A.F. & A.M. continues to meet in the building to this day. H Winner: JJ Janczak Onion Creek Lodge

September 2016 – Mathews Elementary School, 906 West Lynn Street Mathews Elementary School welcomed 190 students for the first time for the new school year in 1916. Mathews was part of an expansion of Austin Public Schools, including the construction of Clarksville School for African American students. The school is named after Dr. William John Mathews, one of the founders of the Austin School Board. Austin architect Dennis Walsh designed the school, and likely used Elgin-Butler brick in its construction. The school has been expanded several times, but the front facade remains the same. On September 23, 2016, Mathews Elementary School will be celebrating its 100th birthday! H Winners: Casey Gallagher and Sarah Marshall Mathews Elementary School

Why I Became Preservation Austin’s First Sustaining Member

was thrilled when I heard Preservation Preservation Austin make sure that as Austin by Sarah Burleson, Education Committee I Austin was launching a Sustaining continues to grow and change, our local Membership program… but I didn’t know I heritage and history are not only protected, would be the first one to sign up! Having but shared and enjoyed! the option to make a monthly gift allows H me to make a larger impact with my giving Join Sarah by upgrading your throughout the year, which is important to membership today! Sustaining me. I love knowing I am helping Preservation Memberships are an easy and Austin “Save the Good Stuff” AND am super convenient way for you to support proud to sport my new tote bag around Preservation Austin by giving town! I have visited most of the iconic $10, $25, or $50 every month. landmarks featured and plan to check the Members receive all General Benefits others off my list soon. The tote is a great plus one of our new Preservation conversation starter and a fun way to share Austin shopping totes featuring more about Preservation Austin’s mission. beloved Austin landmarks! I hope you will join me as a Sustaining For details go to: Member and encourage your friends and Education Committee member Sarah Burleson preservationaustin.org/get-involved H wows bystanders with her exclusive Sustaining family to as well! Together, we will help Member tote featuring Austin landmarks.

14 Fall 2016 Many Thanks to H Our New & Renewing Members

BENEFACTOR H Alegria Arce & Charles Hibbetts CONTRIBUTOR H INHERIT AUSTIN DUAL H Tim Cuppett & Marco Rini Dr. William McCaughrin Phoebe Allen Bergan & Stan Casey Nancy & Ross Miller Margarine Beaman Erica & Damien Clark WATERLOO CIRCLE H Susan Morrison & John King Joyce Bertolacini Kay & Charles Finnell Carole & George Nalle, III Carolyn & Joe Osborn Betty Bird Anne Hebert & Garland Turner Carol Nelson Ted Siff & Janelle Buchanan Caroline & Tom Blackwell Audra & Luis Tiemann-Iturbe Charles Aubrey Smith, Jr. Gregory Smith & Beth Dodd Terrell Blodgett Paul Knaus Linda Team & Lewis Donelson Randall Soileau & Oscar Rodriquez Rebecca Borchers Laurie Limbacher & Alfred Godfrey Frances & Robin Thompson Joan Burnham Candice & Grant McClendon SUSTAINING H Gail Weatherby & Andy Sieverman David Conner Pat & Bill Monroe Ann Griffith Ash Leon & Kay Whitney Margie Cowden Michelle Slattery & Charles Page Sarah Burleson Harry & Mercedes Whittington Marie Crane Ellis Mumford-Russell & Jeff Russell James A. Downing Derek & Dorothy Trainer Marcia Curtis Patrick Slattery Don Garner Debra Drescher Stacie Rychlik & Benjamin Serrato Sutton Giese HOUSEHOLD H David Edmondson Stuart & Kelly Sampley Dell Hollingsworth Christine & Ted Huston Floylee Hemphill Goldberger Matthew Welch & Sarah Weber Paula Lewis John & Dolly Barclay, III Margaret Ingram Sarah & Alex Wheat Terri Myers Kathleen & Nick Deaver Catherine M. Johnson Tammy & Edwin Young Judy & Rudy Robinson Carol Ann & Larry Sayle Rebecca Kohout Blake Smith Colleen & Brad Theriot Brian Linder INHERIT AUSTIN INDIVIDUAL H JoCarol Snowden Kathryn & Larry Anderson Sara Luduena Susan Brotman Liz & Jeff Carmack Melanie Martinez Josh Conrad ADVOCATE H Nina & Boyd Covey Alyssa Mayfield Amy Hammons Jana McCann Nanci Felice & Edwin Raines Dr. Claire McAdams Jason Haskins Carolyn Schilthuis Nancy & Harry Fendrich Maureen McCormack Erica Laughlin Kay Guedea Berry Minott Kathleen Loughlin FRIEND H Patti & Niles Hansen Chuck Oswalt Emily Reed Ted & Katharine Barnhill Penelope Hyslop & Eric Cassady Kathleen Reiff Melissa Reese Sam & Marilyn Calliham Dave & Sally Hunter Robert Rekart Linda Rivera Chandler Ford Mark & Connie Johns Marion Sanchez Bryan Cates Dr. & Mrs. Robert Frachtman Ken Manning & Vickie Tatum Austin Saengerrunde JoAnn Jentz Luci Baines Johnson & Ian Turpin Luisa Mauro George Slattery Sarah McCalla Megan & Albert Meisenbach Jeani & Col. John Smith, III BUSINESS AMBASSADOR H Rosemary Morrow Karey & Chris Oddo Jeffery Stark Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Karen Saadeh & David Matthis Joe & Carolyn Osborn Kathie Tovo Norwood Tower LP Monica Samuels Gary & Nan Overbeck Pamela Turlak O’Connell Architecture Gretchen & Daniel Scardino Lazan Pargaman James Ward Custis Wright Alison & Richard Ryan Michele Webre BUSINESS LEADER H Thomas Barbour & Paula Hern Steve Ryder Chris Wilson CG&S Design Build Jennifer Smith Enabler, LLC PARTNER H Catherine Terrell STUDENT H The Fairview Will Andrews & Elana Einhorn John & Candace Volz Frank Ordia Forge + Craft Architecture Jack Barron & Jennifer Turner James & Annetta White Modern Design + Build & Modern Pools, Inc. Bill & Carolyn Bingham Wooldridge Associates, LLC Mustian Architecture & Design Lynn & John Burks Paramount & Stateside Theatres/ Rowena Dasch Austin Theatre Alliance Susan & David Erickson Pilgrim Building Company Stiles Real Estate Agency H

PRESERVATION AUSTIN 15 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TX PERMIT NO. 2100

P.O. Box 2113 Austin, TX 78768

www.preservationaustin.org [email protected]

H PA CALENDAR OF EVENTS • 2016

OCT City Council Candidates Forum OCT 56th Annual Preservation Merit Awards Celebration 11 Preservation Austin (500 Chicon, 78702), 6pm-8pm. 28 Driskill Hotel (604 Brazos, 78701), 11:30am-1:30pm. Gear up for Election Day by learning candidates’ views Annual awards luncheon celebrating our 2016 on historic preservation and the role it should play in Preservation Merit Award winners with featured speaker Paul Gunther, veteran of the New York arts Austin’s future. See page 10 for details. Free. and design world. Check-in starts at 11am, see Page 1 for details. $100 per ticket. OCT Historic Austin Happy Hour at the Continental 20 Continental Club (1315 South Congress, 78704), Time TBD. Our happy hour series celebrating historic DEC Local Historic District Workshop 3 Preservation Austin (500 Chicon, 78702), 9am-12pm. watering holes continues! Join us for drinks and to learn This workshop will give citizens and neighborhoods more about this legendary music venue, opened in 1955. the tools they need to understand and navigate the Presented with the UT Student Historic City of Austin’s local historic district process. Preservation Association. Free. Additional details TBA.

H Visit www.preservationaustin.org for details and tickets today!